Bee-autiful Jewellery

I completed a degree in fine art sculpture but became interested in jewellery making after a period of travel across East and South Africa – everywhere you go they’re making jewellery out of anything that comes to hand. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, was in the middle of doing a jewellery making course and taught me the basics and after completing a diamond setting course at The London Guildhall University I set up my business, originally working out of my garden flat in north London.

How would you describe your style?

Fluid with a particular focus on surface texture. My jewellery making influences are eclectic, from the ethnic to Byzantine.

My studio is situated in a courtyard garden in a village in rural Suffolk and when the door is open in the summer the air is full of the sound of bees and there is a small pond near the door to my studio that is visited by dragonflies and damselflies.

Does the Suffolk countryside inspire you?

It does, and I don’t have to travel a yard from my studio which is in the garden of my 14th century timber framed house to find it. Interesting commissions come to me on a regular basis, for instance a local farmer presented me with a Roman ring he had discovered on his land and he wanted a copy made before relinquishing to a local museum. I have made a cast of a mini bronze pestle and mortar and an ancient make-up kit, a similar discovery from a ploughed field. I have also designed rings to take gems found on the bountiful Suffolk beaches by different clients.

What made you choose to move to Suffolk?

I was bought up in north London but my grandparents had settled in Stoke-by-Nayland and I spent my holidays there so when it was my turn to bring up children, it was an obvious move to make, it being such a lovely part of the world.

You can make a purchase at www.willbishop.co.uk or make an appointment to visit Will’s studio by calling 01787 210 251 or emailing info@willbishop.co.uk